Save when our national security is at grave and immediate risk (for example, by invasion) the Government should never commit our armed forces to war without providing them with all the tools required for the job.  This New Labour Government, which has such a flair for involving us in military adventures abroad, pays insufficient attention to the finer details of waging war such as providing adequate equipment; routine provision of body armour and armoured personnel carriers being but the most recent examples.  It is abhorrent that "mere, transient politicians" waste our servicemen's lives with so little thought or good purpose.